Planning and Implementing Sustainable Air Quality Monitoring and Management Programs in Sub-Saharan African Nations

摘要

Since the fall of 2004, Research Triangle Institute, through tasks and grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Agency for International Development, has assisted the sub-Saharan African nations of Ghana and Tanzania in the development and implementation of sustainable ambient air monitoring and air management programs for major urban areas. Accra, Ghana is in West Africa, on the Atlantic Ocean. Its population is approximately 1.5 million. The major sources of ambient air pollution are vehicular emissions, fugitive dust from unpaved roadways and surrounding dry lands, and open burning for cooking and solid waste disposal. The major air pollutant is particulate matter. Winds are generally from the southwest; the average temperature is 30 deg C (86 deg F). Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is located in East Africa, on the Indian Ocean. Its population is approximately 2.5 million. Its major sources of ambient air pollution are vehicular emissions, fugitive dusts from unpaved roads and solid waste burning, and emissions from cement operations, sand and quarry operations, and other industries. Winds are generally from the southeast; the average temperature is 26 deg C (79 deg F).